Sidewalk Stories

Sidewalk Stories As if old sidewalks and buildings themselves could actually speak, these walks lend voices to old village features, and interpret their mute meanings.

Sometimes, people look around at an old town, and say "There are stories here, no doubt about it." But then, nobody is around to give voice to the stories from the past. Except for these "Sidewalk Stories." For two hours during a two mile walk, the stories that are "TOLD" by the old buildings and structures in Richmond, Illinois will be heard, out loud, clear as day. History that is hiding in plai

n sight will step out from behind the curtain, like, and give a little wink, take a little bow. In simple terms, these are walking tours of historic features in a richly evocative little village. Emphasis: WALKING. On sidewalks and the old railroad trail, along the original BROAD WAY, and into a smidgeon of woodland floor. Victorian houses - real beauties! - and some "early settlement" houses. Downtown stores both from before and after the "big fire" (in 1902). THE VIEW that convinced Richmond's first settler that "this is the place" and persuaded him to stake his claim, build his cabin. The marker stone of the first burial in 1839, which was on family ground, but became Richmond's cemetery. Schools, churches, water powered mills that are STILL STANDING 175 years later. A Depression-era "hobo highway." Stuff like that, but given voice, BROUGHT TO LIFE, like. Sidewalk Stories - Richmond!

Not glamorous, not difficult, but very important.
09/24/2022

Not glamorous, not difficult, but very important.

Perhaps the greatest friend and supporter of the Sidewalk Stories concept, Leif Anderson. Thanks, Leif!
08/12/2022

Perhaps the greatest friend and supporter of the Sidewalk Stories concept, Leif Anderson. Thanks, Leif!

07/04/2022

Yep. Still open for business here at Sidewalk Stories. Have not been very active with posting on this page lately. But if you're interested in a walk or have questions, give me a call at 815-814-6342. John Shiel

03/12/2022
This year, same as last year.Sidewalk stories 2022 will be custom scheduled walks entirely.Have been getting some intere...
02/09/2022

This year, same as last year.

Sidewalk stories 2022 will be custom scheduled walks entirely.

Have been getting some interest from groups and people who want to bring groups. Like, small business owners who want to provide a very entertaining outing to some of their customers or clients. I didn't think of this until people asked about it, but surely it makes sense.

And surely, some of those lads that are investing big in buildings and land in Richmond would be more than welcome to come out on one of the walks to see what's up. Get their wheels turning for how sidewalk stories could pair with the customer experiences they're wanting to offer.

Sam...?

Marc...?

Richmond fall fest, 2021. Saturday afternoon.
10/25/2021

Richmond fall fest, 2021. Saturday afternoon.

Meant to post these two photos with the comment about a Richmond history program Saturday this weekend, that would be th...
10/22/2021

Meant to post these two photos with the comment about a Richmond history program Saturday this weekend, that would be this afternoon, in conjunction with the Richmond fall fest. And with the newly established McConnell foundation.
The beatific looking lad with the white hair is Charles Cotting. A very Central player in Richmond's earliest days. We will be conjuring his memory, who knows, maybe his presence, as we focus on the town's early days from the corner of Mill Street and 12.

10/22/2021

Are you up with old number 90? That's the ramshackle old building built in 1844 that sits on the Southeast corner of Mill and 12. Kitty corner from doyle's. This weekend is a two-day Fall festival in Richmond. The group that just purchased old number 90, called The McConnell foundation, is hosting three events each afternoon on the property there on the corner. All related to local history. I've agreed to do a brief history presentation at 2:00 on Saturday afternoon.
Freebie.
Will be tag teaming in the presentation with Mrs Rommy Lopat, author of The recent book about Richmond founder William a mcconnell. A great chance to learn about the book, the author, the town, and its history.
Freebie.

Richmond walks posted in Galway City. See?
10/02/2021

Richmond walks posted in Galway City. See?

10/02/2021

Dublin, Hebron, and Johnsburg. How bout that?

08/13/2021

The George Myers House was located on the northwest corner of Route 173 and Keystone Road in Richmond. It was one of the prime examples of Greek Revival houses in McHenry County.

The house was built circa 1851 by George Myers who settled on this farm in 1844. George married Margaret Snell in 1851 and they had four children. The house was constructed using post-and-beam construction with hand-hewn beams and wood pegs.

In 1994, the Richmond Fire Department used the house for a practice fire burn-down. Portions of the building were salvaged and now the major part of an exhibit on Greek Revival architecture at the MCHS museum.

Richmond was pioneered and built up by an almost exclusively Northeastern states mindset. The lad who arrived first and ...
07/08/2021

Richmond was pioneered and built up by an almost exclusively Northeastern states mindset. The lad who arrived first and contributed the most and built the house in this photo, he came from Pennsylvania, along the banks of the Susquehanna River. That's about as close to an exception as I've seen. Pretty appropriate, because boy, was he ever exceptional!

07/07/2021

Dear friends and fans,
It has taken us a while to post this because we are heartbroken.
Leif Anderson, our husband, father, boss and our shop's third generation of leadership, passed away on June 29.
He had just turned 71.
Although Leif had been hospitalized with a rare illness since early May, his death came as a shock to all of us. We may choose to share more details later, but for now, thank you for giving us time and space to grieve.
What is important for you to know is that Anderson's Candy Shop is not going anywhere.
We will post again about Leif as we can bear it. And as is appropriate.
We are thankful for your patience with us as we navigate these next few months.
Leif truly loved you all.
- The Anderson family

Sidewalk stories planning is revving up. People are checking their schedules and their friends schedules. Have you walke...
07/02/2021

Sidewalk stories planning is revving up. People are checking their schedules and their friends schedules. Have you walked one of these already? Is it time to walk it again with a different handful of friends who would enjoy it? All walks this summer are customized, no pre-scheduled walks at all. So if Thursday night at 7 is your thing, or Friday afternoon at 4:30, works for me. 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday? Why not! Give me a call to make a plan. John Shiel. 815-814-6342. Walks usually cover 2 miles in 2 hours and start at the old wooden bridge behind Anderson's candy. Cost is $10 per person, or $50 minimum per group. That means if you have from 1 to 5 people, the group cost is $50.

04/28/2021

So, the doors are open in the lights are on for 2021.

Sidewalk Stories Richmond is ready to schedule your custom walk. When you want it, for the friends you want it with. Phone me up at 815-814-6342 and we'll figure out the details. Costs are basically $10 a person. But for groups under 5 there's a minimum fee of $50.

Since we are custom scheduling, we can talk about special needs or interests you may have. Someone in a wheelchair or walker? We can adjust. Limited walking ability? We have figured out some Creative Solutions with groups in the past, just on the fly. Should be even better if we figure it out ahead of time.

Looking forward to you walking with you.
John Shiel

10/20/2020
10/04/2019

The rather grand house on the pic for the Oct. 5 Sidewalk Stories walk is a line drawing that appeared in the 1872 plat book for McHenry County. It was the second home built by the very first settler to Richmond township, and it is still standing. In fact, it stands in beautiful shape. AND it adorns the cover of a new book about that guy, his family, his farm, and their very extensive role in establishing Richmond, Illinois. The "house on the cover" is the very last stop we make on every Sidewalk Stories walk.

Was going to add an image 1872 drawing of McConnell house number two, but face book would not let me. How about that? No worries. I always carry a copy of that book about McConnell and his accomplishments and family and gigantic thumbprint on Richmond, in my shoulder bag for every walk.

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Sometimes, people look around at an old town, and say "There are stories here, no doubt about it." But then, nobody is around to give voice to the stories from the past. Except for these "Sidewalk Stories." For two hours during a two mile walk, the stories that are "TOLD" by the old buildings and structures in Richmond, Illinois will be heard, out loud, clear as day. History that is hiding in plain sight will step out from behind the curtain, like, and give a little wink, take a little bow. In simple terms, these are walking tours of historic features in a richly evocative little village. Emphasis: WALKING. On sidewalks and the old railroad trail, along the original BROAD WAY, and into a smidgeon of woodland floor. Victorian houses - real beauties! - and some "early settlement" houses. Downtown stores both from before and after the "big fire" (in 1902). THE VIEW that convinced Richmond's first settler that "this is the place" and persuaded him to stake his claim, build his cabin. The marker stone of the first burial in 1839, which was on family ground, but became Richmond's cemetery. Schools, churches, water powered mills that are STILL STANDING 175 years later. A Depression-era "hobo highway." Stuff like that, but given voice, BROUGHT TO LIFE, like. Sidewalk Stories - Richmond! ONE SATURDAY PER MONTH thru the 2018 “warm” season. Always 10:30-12:30.